David Paul Martindale (born 13 July 1974) is a Scottish football manager who is currently the Sporting Director and interim manager at Scottish Championship club Livingston.
Martindale played at Junior level following his release from prison for organised crime. From 2014, he has worked in various capacities at Livingston becoming an increasingly important figure in its structure, before being appointed manager in 2020. Martindale would remain in the role until February 2026, before returning on an interim basis in September 2026.
Career Time in prison, first steps in coaching Unlike most football managers, Martindale did not play at professional level. Born in Glasgow, he grew up in Govan and the Craigshill neighbourhood of Livingston in West Lothian. He was a promising youth player with Rangers and Motherwell but by his own admission did not apply himself to make the most of his talents,David Martindale's journey from prison to leading Livingston, Ewan Murray, The Guardian, 4 December 2020 and was released from a contract with Rangers after fracturing his leg in an unauthorised local match with friends.David Martindale on his Rangers rejection as Livingston boss reveals he was 'pied' after horror injury, Iain Collin, Daily Record, 22 February 2021 He played at Junior level for Linlithgow Rose and West Calder United and had business interests in the hospitality sector.
After a pub he owned caught fire without insurance cover he became heavily involved in organised crime, specifically the large-scale supply of cocaine as well as money laundering.Livingston FC under fire for giving coaching role to drugs crook, Sunday Post, 24 May 2015Livingston appoint David Martindale as permanent boss after Gary Holt departure, Aidan Smith, Glasgow Times, 21 December 2020 He was arrested in April 2004 following a police operation; while awaiting trial, he studied a degree in construction project management at Heriot-Watt University.New Livingston boss David Martindale hopes his story can help inspire others, Evening Express, 21 December 2020
Martindale was imprisoned in November 2006,Cocaine dealers' 16 years in jail, BBC News, 30 November 2006 serving four years. He also had around £100,000-worth of assets seized as proceeds of crimeDrug dealer turned Livingston FC football boss told to cough up £34k in dirty money probe, Norman Silvester, Daily Record, 2 September 2018 and completed his degree following his release. In football, he played for Whitburn in the East Region Juniors leagueLinlithgow and Whitburn win cup shoot-outs, Daily Record, 16 September 2010 before becoming assistant manager at Broxburn Athletic.Official MatchDay Programme, Tayport F.C., 21 November 2011Linlithgow battle back to lift trophy, John Spowart, The Scotsman, 28 May 2012
Progression at Livingston In 2014, while employed in the construction industry, he became involved with Livingston as a part-time volunteer based on personal recommendations and following appropriate background checks with his work initially consisting of basic training duties and ground maintenance. The club's poor financial state at the time meant they were in need of assistance at minimal cost.New Livingston boss David Martindale reflects on journey from prison to Premiership manager, Callum Carson, Daily Record, 22 December 2020
Even at that stage, his appointment was scrutinised in local press.Livingston FC under fire for giving coaching role to drugs crook, Sunday Post, 24 May 2015 He gradually became more involved in coaching and recruitment during Mark Burchill's spell as manager. He began to study coaching formally, obtaining his UEFA B Licence via the Irish Football Association, due to them being more accommodating to applicants with convictions than their Scottish counterparts.
Martindale was appointed assistant manager of Livingston when David Hopkin became manager in January 2016. When Hopkin departed in May 2018 after leading the club to successive promotions from Scottish League One to the Scottish Premiership, he took temporary charge of the team.Livingston start new manager search after David Hopkin departs, BBC Sport, 31 May 2018
Martindale was offered the manager's job but turned it down because of concerns about bringing embarrassment to the club and being inexperienced.Livingston: David Martindale now feels 'more capable' to take head coach role, Brian McLauchlin, BBC Sport, 3 December 2020 Following the resignation of Kenny Miller in August 2018, he had interim control for a matter of days before Gary Holt took over. Holt kept Martindale on the staff and handed him increased responsibilities as 'director of football operations'.
Livingston manager Holt quit as Livingston manager in November 2020 and Martindale was appointed head coach on an interim basis, alongside Tony Caig. He won four matches, including a 2020–21 Scottish League Cup quarter-final, and was officially appointed manager until the end of the season on 21 December.
Under Martindale, the club went on to win four subsequent Premiership matches, before securing draws against title holders Celtic and progressing to the Scottish League Cup final. They would be narrowly beaten by St Johnstone.
The Scottish Football Association's 'fit and proper person' hearing by its Professional Game Board took place on 26 January 2021 with a positive outcome for Martindale, who had been turned down in his application to be a club official a year earlier. He was supported publicly by eminent sporting academic Phil Scraton and local MP Hannah Bardell. There was also widespread support for Martindale within Scottish football from fans, players and other managers.
Martindale won Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month in November 2022.
Despite relegation from the Scottish Premiership in 2023–24, Martindale was given a new one-year contract in May 2024.Livingston boss David Martindale targets Premiership return as he's handed new deal, Daily Record, 30 May 2024
On 30 March 2025, Martindale led Livingston to their first trophy in eight years after a 5–0 victory against Queens Park at Falkirk Stadium to win the 2024–25 Scottish Challenge Cup final. After finishing second in the league behind Falkirk in the 2024–25 Scottish Championship, he led Livingston to the Scottish Premiership at the first attempt after they came from two goals down to beat Ross County 5–3 on aggregate in the play-off final.
On 1 February 2026, after almost six years as Livingston manager, Martindale stepped down to become sporting director at the club, with assistant Marvin Bartley appointed his successor. Livingston were six points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish Premiership table amid a winless run of 22 games. Martindale is Livingston's longest-serving manager since they changed their name in 1995.
After the departure of Glenn Whelan on 6 September 2026, Martindale was announced as interim manager alongside Frankie McAvoy.
Managerial record
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamNatFromToRecordLivingston26 November 20201 February 2026 (Livingston manager) Martindale, David, FitbaStatsLivingston (co-interim)6 September 2026present(Livingston manager) Martindale, David, FitbaStats Career Total—
Initially caretaker and appointed permanently on 21 December 2020
Honours Manager Livingston
Scottish Premiership Play-offs: 2024–25 Scottish Challenge Cup: 2024–25 Scottish League Cup runner-up: 2020–21
Individual Scottish Premiership Manager of the Month: December 2020, January 2021, November 2022 Scottish Championship Manager of the Month: November 2024, February 2025, April 2025
References
External links Profile at LinkedIn